Two Isle of Wight hovercraft are on their way to Asia, after decades of service carrying passengers across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.

Hovertravel has confirmed the sale of Freedom 90 and Island Express, by its agent, Griffon Hoverwork.

In December, Island photographer Ben Rue snapped the moment the familiar hovercraft sailed away from the south coast, for the final time - on board the cargo ship Arneborg - towards Indonesia.

This week, the Wagenborg-operated ship was docked in Palma, on the Spanish island of Mallorca.

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Isle of Wight County Press: Freedom 90 and Island Express on thr Arneborg last month (photo by Ben Rue).

Freedom 90 and Island Express on the Arneborg last month (photos by Ben Rue).

The Isle of Wight hovercraft Freedom 90 was launched in 1990, by inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell.

As the Isle of Wight County Press reported, on June 8, 1990, it took three attempts to smash the champagne bottle.

However, it appeared not to affect the craft's good luck.

Freedom 90, which cost up to £2 million, continued to serve the Island until its retirement from the fleet in 2018.

Island Express also retired - twice.

Isle of Wight County Press: The County Press report, from 1990.The County Press report, from 1990.

Isle of Wight County Press: Freedom 90 and Island Express on thr Arneborg last month (photo by Ben Rue).

Both it and Freedom 90 were called on to fill in for the current craft (Solent Flyer and Island Flyer) in 2017, due to technical problems with their propellers.

During their refit, the older craft returned to Hovertravel's Southsea to Ryde route for a time.

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